Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Postcards from the Limestone Coast: Naracoorte

The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric times, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air. ~Wilbur Wright

Hacks Lagoon

Visiting Hacks Lagoon, adjoining the main basin of Bool Lagoon at Naracoorte, was very special for me. Apart from the fact that we saw hundreds and hundreds of migratory birds which had flown south for the winter, at a beautiful time of the evening, the Hack family name is significant to me.

Emma Hack lived in Naracoorte in the late 1800's. She had moved there after marrying and leaving her family in Tintinara. Her father was my great great Grandfather and her brother, my great Grandfather. I have been on a journey walking in the footsteps of my ancestors - more about that soon.

Had it not been for our Cave Tour Guide mentioning Hacks Lagoon, upon hearing me talk of ancestral names which may be written on the walls of the caves decades ago, we would not have known about it, nor visited Hacks and Bool Lagoons.

The lagoons are absolutely beautiful and definitely worth popping in to see (especially after all the rain we have had this season). Yet there are by no means filled!

You simply must come and see them for yourself to experience the awe and majesty of these unique places under this seemingly inconspicuous terrain.

Once again the flora was spectacular. This native orchid was quickly picked in an attempt to calm a very whingey tired little two year old. Later we realised that it is likely to be very rare and we should have left it alone. It is rather beautiful in its simplicity you must agree.

This gum blossom took my breath away. It is enormous - perhaps 5-7cm in diameter.

This is such a unique and delicate blossom. It is no wonder the fairies call them home in the Australian bush. It is indeed pretty and intriguing with many a hidey hole for illusive little beings.

Seeing the critically endangered Bent-wing bats fly from their cave for a night-time hunt for food was a very privileged act we enjoyed as a family just on dusk.

It is very exciting to read here about your knowledge of the Hack family. My mother is writing a book about the Hack settlers in South Australia, who are our ancestors, and would love to get in touch with you to find out more about Emma's letters. If you can contact me directly that would be great, thanks!

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This is a place of calm and quiet for me, of peace and beauty, of reflection and sharing. I hope you will find this here as well. So take a cool glass of water with a slice of fresh lemon and sip as you read. I hope you will leave here feeling refreshed, renewed and inspired.

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About Me

My family of five has recently moved from South Australia to the Australian Capital Territory where life has become somewhat more complicated. Life has sped up and we have been presented with some unforeseen challenges. However we continue to enjoy time for each other, laughing together, home-cooked meals and home-baked goodies, growing our own herbs, cleaning without chemicals and walking when we can. A life free of many additives both in our foods and in the way we are consumers in our fast-paced society. We care, we reflect, we search and are frustrated by those who fail to see what lies beneath the drive of our economy. Organic, back to the essence, the simple things…the art of being, knowing whose I am – a beloved child of God.
The simplicity of being me, of being family
Stripped away
what can we see,
Beneath the layers
of humanity?
A simple one
A child of God
A call to love
And be as one.
Share with me, my journey.
Truth, Light, Freedom, Life.